. >>> the u.s. is deploying 400 troops, 2 air defense missile batteries to defend turkey against syria. we'll have a live report this morning. >>> ambassador susan rice takes herself out of the running for secretary of state. why did she do it? who will replace hillary clinton? >>> president obama and john boehner meet for 50 minutes, but didn't walk out with a fiscal cliff deal. but they didn't reach a deal, what's next? >>> why are these ukrainian lawmakers throwing punches. glad we're not there. >> not there yet. friday, december 14th. "starting point" begins now. good morning, everybody. our starting point, a developing story about syria's ongoing civil war and a new role for the united states. leon panetta signed an order to send two patriot missile batteries to turkey along with 400 u.s. troops to help the country defend against any u.s. action by syria. the move was expected as the rebellion destabilizes or begins to destabilize the assad regime. nick paton walsh has the latest for us. nick,